Method and apparatus for fully automated iSCSI target configuration

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for self-configuration of iSCSI storage devices suitable for being utilized as a “plug and play” device for various network environments including direct attached, IP storage area networks with iSNS servers, and IP storage area networks without iSNS servers. The present invention may perform automatic configuration steps including network configuration, storage volume configuration, iSCSI target configuration, iSCSI initiator registration, volume to LUN mapping, and the like. The present invention may be combined with a global configuration setting in the iSCSI storage device to enable automatic configuration. In this manner, the same firmware can be utilized for iSCSI storage devices developed for multiple target markets from direct attached to large IP SANs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application herein incorporates the following United StatesPatent Applications by reference in their entirety: Attorney DocketNumber Filing Date Ser. No. LSI 03-1819 Dec. 19, 2003 10/741,559 LSI03-1820 Dec. 19, 2003 10/741,756 LSI 03-1821 Dec. 19, 2003 10/741,563

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of data storagedevices, and particularly to a method of self configuration of iSCSIStorage devices suitable for being directly attached to hosts and/orutilized on an IP storage area network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI) is an SCSI transportprotocol for mapping of block-orientated storage data over TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networks. iSCSI builds ontwo widely used technologies—SCSI commands for storage and IP protocolsfor networking. By carrying SCSI commands over IP networks, iSCSI isused to facilitate data transfers over intranets and to manage storageover long distances. The iSCSI protocol enables universal access tostorage devices and storage area networks (SANs) over standard Ethernetbased TCP/IP network. These networks may be dedicated networks or may beshared with traditional Ethernet applications.

The iSCSI standard uses ancillary network protocols such as Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol (DHCP), Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS), andService Location Protocol (SLP) to support its operation. One of theproblems facing the storage industry is the management of heterogeneousstorage network environments. Thus, vendors of iSCSI storage productsoften provide proprietary software for configuring and managing iSCSIstorage devices. In medium and large IP Storage Area Networks (SANS),these ancillary protocols and management tools provide the flexibilityrequired by many servers sharing iSCSI storage devices. However, theseprotocols and management tools may not be available for direct attachedand small SAN situations. Further, such protocols and management toolsare too complicated to make iSCSI a viable solution for direct attachedand small SAN situations.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an iSCSI storage deviceequipped with plug and play operation requiring no setup andconfiguration of the iSCSI storage device itself. It would be alsodesirable to provide a method of automating configuration of directattached iSCSI storage devices. It would be also desirable to provide amethod of automating configuration of iSCSI storage devices utilized onan IP storage area network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus forself-configuration of iSCSI storage devices suitable for being utilizedas a plug and play device for various network environments includingdirect attached, IP SANs, or the like.

The present invention may provide full self-configuration steps(automatic configuration processes) including all functions that arenormally required for external protocol or management. Exemplary fullself-configuration steps may include 1) automatic registration of newiSCSI initiators, 2) automatic association of newly registered iSCSIinitiators with unassociated iSCSI targets 3) automatic mapping ofvolumes to logical units and their association to an iSCSI target orinitiator 4) automatic network configuration 5) automatic creation ofvolumes 6) automatic creation of target iSCSI configuration usingautomatically generated iSCSI names, portals, and portal groups and thelike. Control of the automatic configuration processes may be fullydefaulted or provided by hardware configuration settings similar toexisting peripheral products in this class. Advantageously, the presentinvention may be combined with a global configuration setting in theiSCSI storage device to enable automatic configuration. In this manner,the same firmware may be used for iSCSI storage devices developed formultiple target markets from direct attached to large IP SANs.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for initializingnetwork interface of an iSCSI device is provided. First, whether aconfiguration protocol server is available may be determined. If theconfiguration protocol server is available, the configuration protocolserver (e.g. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server) may berequested to define a configuration of network interfaces for allnetwork ports. If the configuration protocol server is not available, adefault network configuration may be utilized for the configuration ofnetwork interfaces for all network ports.

In a second aspect of the present invention, a method for creating andconfiguring volumes in iSCSI storage devices is provided. First, whethervolumes are already configured is determined. If the volumes are notalready configured, then whether automated configuration is enabled maybe checked. If the automated configuration is enabled, all unallocatedstorage resources may be converted into volumes. If the automatedconfiguration is not enabled, manual configuration of volume may berequired.

In a third aspect of the present invention, a method for targetconfiguration of an iSCSI storage device is provided. The iSCSI targetconfiguration method may determine how the storage resources of theiSCSI storage device are made accessible to the network. If targets havealready been configured, no additional configuration is required.Otherwise, at least one iSCSI target is configured. If automaticconfiguration is enabled, all iSCSI targets supported by the iSCSIstorage device are created. Once the iSCSI target configuration isavailable, iSCSI portals are created for each IP address defined duringnetwork configuration. Each iSCSI target is then associated with alliSCSI portal groups to allow the iSCSI target to be accessed by iSCSIinitiators from any network interfaces of the iSCSI storage device.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method for registering aniSCSI initiator for an iSCSI storage device is provided. The method mayutilize a discovery session mechanism for target discovery to initiateregistration. After a discovery session has been established between theinitiator and the iSCSI storage device, whether the initiator isregistered may be determined. Alternatively, the method may utilize anormal session login to initiate registration if an iSNS server isavailable for discovery in an IP SAN. If the initiator is registered,the session enters full-feature phase. Otherwise, if automaticconfiguration is enabled and there is an unassociated target available,the initiator is registered. During the initiator registration, anunassociated target is selected as the initiator's target, the initiatorinformation is permanently stored in the iSCSI storage device as aregistered initiator, and the initiator is associated with the selectedtarget to allow access to the storage resources of the associatedtarget. If there is no unassociated target available, an iSCSI sessionmay be closed.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a method for mapping volumesin the iSCSI device is provided. The method may provide a unique set oflogical units on the SCSI storage device. First, unmapped volumes may belocated. Then, a logical unit number may be assigned to each unmappedvolumes. The volume mapping may be associated with either the iSCSItarget device or the registered iSCSI initiator.

The present invention may provide a complete plug and play iSCSI storagedevice for direct attached markets. Further, the present inventionprovides a complete plug and play iSCSI storage device for IP SANwith/or without iSNS servers.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanyingdrawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of thespecification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and togetherwith the general description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the present invention may be betterunderstood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a flow diagram implementing a method forautomating network interface configuration of an iSCSI storage device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a flow diagram implementing a method forautomating volume configuration on the iSCSI storage device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a flow diagram implementing a method forautomating target configuration on the iSCSI storage device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a flow diagram implementing a method forregistering initiator of the iSCSI storage device in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a flow diagram implementing a method formapping unmapped volumes on the iSCSI storage device in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus forself-configuration of iSCSI storage devices suitable for being utilizedas a “plug and play” device for various network environments includingdirect attached, IP storage area networks, or the like. The presentinvention may provide full self-configuration steps including: a)initializing network interfaces, b) creating volumes from storageresources, c) creating iSCSI targets, d) creating iSCSI portals andportal groups, e) creating iSCSI initiator definitions when initiatorsconnect, f) associating iSCSI initiators with iSCSI targets, g)distributing volumes to iSCSI initiators, and h) mapping volumes toiSCSI initiator logical units, and the like. Advantageously, the presentinvention may be combined with a global configuration setting in theiSCSI storage device to enable automatic configuration. In this manner,the same firmware can be utilized for iSCSI storage devices developedfor multiple target markets from direct attached to large IP SANs.

An iSCSI storage device has been utilized by businesses and otherorganizations for effective ways to store and maintain data. Today'stechnology market offers various options such as Direct Attached Storage(DAS), Storage Area networks (SANs), or the like. DAS consists of a diskdrive attached to a host computer. SANs are dedicated networks thatconnect servers to storage devices and transport storage traffic withoutburdening the Local Area Network (LAN). An iSCSI storage device which isattached to a system directly or via an IP network requires a series ofconfiguration steps before storage can be accessed. Examples of theconfiguration steps may include network configuration, storage volumeconfiguration, iSCSI target configuration, iSCSI initiator registration,volume to LUN mapping, and the like.

Conventionally, “plug and play” storage devices (e.g. devices for SCSI,IEEE 1384, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripheral busses) have beenoffered to provide instant access to a single storage volume. In thecase of the SCSI peripheral bus, an external jumper or configurationswitch on the device provides a way to attach multiple storage devicesto the same peripheral bus without address conflicts. The USB and IEEE1384 peripheral busses support multiple storage devices on the sameperipheral bus by automatically assigning addresses to devices on thebus. Similarly, in order to provide the self-configuration of iSCSIstorage devices suitable for being utilized as a plug and play devicefor various network environments, each of the necessary configurationsteps may be automated in a manner that emulates the simpler plug andplay behavior of other common storage peripheral busses. It is notedthat the present invention may rely on existing network configurationservices in order to provide a self-configuration of iSCSI storagedevices. In the following description, numerous specific descriptionsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the present invention may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In some instances, well known process operations havenot been described in detail in order to prevent any obscurity in thepresent invention.

Referring generally now to FIGS. 1 through 5, exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention are shown.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flow diagram 100 implementing an exemplary methodor process for automating network configuration of an iSCSI storagedevice is shown. The network configuration may be required by aninitiator to access the iSCSI storage device. The network configurationmay be either provided in default configuration (device documentation)or accessed from the DHCP server. Generally, Dynamic Host ControlProtocol (DHCP) server automatically assigns and manages reusable IPaddresses to DHCP clients. The exemplary method may begin in Step 102which determines whether a DHCP server is available. If a DHCP server isavailable, the DHCP server may be utilized to define the configurationof all network interfaces on the storage device in Step 104. The DHCPnetwork configuration may include the IP address, network mask, defaultgateway and the like. If no DHCP server is available, whether a defaultnetwork configuration is available may be checked in Step 106. If thedefault network configuration is available, then, a default networkconfiguration may be utilized for all interfaces on the storage devicein Step 108. The default network configuration includes just the IPaddress and network mask. If no default configuration is available, adefault network configuration is generated in Step 110. Then, in Step112, whether the desired IP addresses are not in use on the IP SAN maybe determined. If the desired IP addresses are in use, then the methodmay proceed to Step 110 and generate another default interfaceconfiguration. If the desired IP addresses are not in use, the defaultnetwork configuration may be saved in Step 114. Then, the method mayinitialize the network interfaces on the storage device based on thenetwork interface configuration in Step 116.

The network configuration of the iSCSI storage device may be needed bythe iSCSI initiator to locate the iSCSI storage device. Using thedefault network configuration supports direct attached or isolated IPSAN installations. The DHCP network configuration may allow multiplestorage devices to be used on any IP SAN.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flow diagram 200 implementing an exemplary methodor process for automating volume configuration of an iSCSI storagedevice is shown. If volumes have already been configured at an earliertime, no additional configuration is required. The method may begin inStep 202 in which whether volumes already have been configured may bedetermined. If the volumes have been configured, the method may proceedto Step 210 to skip the volume configuration. If the volumes have notbeen configured, whether automatic configuration is enabled may bedetermined in Step 204. If automatic configuration is enabled, allunallocated storage resources are converted into volumes in Step 206.Then, the volume configuration status is set in Step 210. When automaticconfiguration is not enabled, manual configuration of volumes isrequired in Step 208.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an iSCSI-capable RAID storagedevice may be utilized. In such a case, the RAID level, the number ofvolumes, the allocation of global hot spare drives and the like may bedetermined from settings on physical configuration dials or switches onthe RAID storage device. In the absence of any external switches orinput devices, the RAID level, number of volumes, and hot spare drivecreation are determined by product defaults. In a particular embodiment,a non-RAID storage device may be utilized. In such a case, the storageresource is configured as a single volume.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow diagram 300 implementing a method orprocess for automating target configuration of an iSCSI storage deviceis shown. The iSCSI target configuration may determine how the storageresources of the iSCSI storage device are made accessible to thenetwork. The iSCSI target configuration may build iSCSI target, iSCSIportal, and iSCSI portal group definitions and the association betweenthe iSCSI targets and iSCSI portal groups.

The method may begin in Step 302 which determines whether targetsalready have been configured. If the targets have been configured, noadditional configuration is required. In such a case, the method mayproceed to Step 309. Otherwise, at least one iSCSI target may beconfigured. In Step 304, whether automated configuration is enabled maybe determined. If the automatic configuration is enabled, all iSCSItargets supported by the iSCSI storage device may be created in Step306. The number of targets created may be a product default or specifiedby a physical configuration dial or switch on the storage device. In anembodiment of the present invention, each target is given a world wideunique name that specifies the fully qualified subset of storageresources in the iSCSI storage device. In a particular embodiment of thepresent invention, volume mapping may be associated with an iSCSI targetdevice. In such a case, the volume mapping may be performed in Step 307.If the automated configuration is not enabled, one target for the iSCSIstorage device may be created in Step 308.

Once the iSCSI target configuration is available, iSCSI portals may becreated for each IP address defined during network configuration in Step309. The iSCSI portals may be grouped into iSCSI portal groups based oninternal hardware and firmware capabilities of the iSCSI storage devicein Step 310. A portal group is created for each set of portals that canbe managed from the session layer of the iSCSI storage device. In anembodiment of the present invention, portal group numbers may beassigned to support fail-over of sessions opened by initiators withmultiple iSCSI interfaces. In Step 312, each iSCSI target may beassociated with all iSCSI portal groups to allow the iSCSI target to beaccessed by iSCSI initiators from any of the iSCSI storage device'snetwork interfaces.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the iSCSI portalsof the iSCSI target configuration may support any single level of IPsecSecurity (Internet Protocol security) based on their TCP listening port.IPsec is a set of protocols developed to support secure exchange ofpackets at the IP layer. The security level can be selected from a setof canned security policies via a physical configuration dial or switchor based on a product default. If any IPsec security policy other thanclear text is used for iSCSI sessions, the initiator's IPsecconfiguration must be set to access the iSCSI target device via the TCPlistening port used for all iSCSI portals. The iSCSI configuration maybe linked to IPsec security policy based on TCP listening port so as toallow zero target configuration of IPsec for the iSCSI storage device.

The initiator registration step may determine which initiators obtainaccess to which automatically configured iSCSI targets on the iSCSIstorage device. Once an initiator has been registered with the iSCSIstorage device, a permanent association between the initiator and targetis formed. Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram 400 implementing anexemplary method for automating iSCSI initiator registration is shown.In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the iSCSI initiatorregistration process may utilize an iSCSI lightweight discovery sessionmechanism for target discovery to initiate registration in Step 402. Inan alternative embodiment of the present invention, in Step 402, theiSCSI initiator registration process may utilize a normal iSCSI sessionlogin to a specific iSCSI target to initiate registration if an iSNSserver is available for discovery in the IP SAN. After a session loginhas been established between the initiator and the iSCSI storage device,whether the initiator is registered may be determined in Step 404. Ifthe initiator is already registered, the method may proceed to Step 416.Then, the session enters full-feature phase in Step 416 since initiatorregistration may not be necessary. If the initiator is not registered,whether automatic configuration is enabled may be determined in Step406. If the automated configuration is enabled, the method may checkwhether any unassociated target is available in Step 408. If anyunassociated target is available, the method may select an unassociatedtarget as a target for the initiator. During initiator registration, anunassociated target is selected as a target for the initiator. Then, theinitiator may be registered in Step 412.

The initiator information is permanently stored in the iSCSI storagedevice as a registered initiator. In Step 414, the initiator may beassociated with the selected target to allow access to storage resourcesof the selected target. In a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, volume mapping may be associated with a registered iSCSIinitiator. In such a case, the volume mapping may be performed in Step415. The session enters full-feature phase in Step 416. When there is nounassociated target available, the method may proceed to Step 418 toclose iSCSI session with Async Message (e.g. an asynchronous logoutrequest message, close session message, or the like) defined by theiSCSI protocol. In an embodiment of the present invention, after thesession has entered full-feature phase, the iSCSI storage device mayrespond to SendTargets discovery requests with only the iSCSI targetassociated with the initiator. For un-registered initiators, theSendTargets reply is empty. The iSCSI storage device can also close thesession for unregistered initiators with an asynchronous logout request.

During volume mapping, one or more unmapped volumes may be assignedlogical unit numbers. The logical unit numbers must be unique within themap but can be any values. For instance, the volume mapping may startassigning logical unit numbers at zero and increment the number for eachvolume mapped. The number of volumes included in a mapping may bespecified by an external configuration switch or determined by a productspecific default. The volume mapping may be associated with either theiSCSI target device or the registered iSCSI initiator. Referring back toFIG. 3, the volume mapping may be performed in Step 307 after eachtarget is created. Referring back to FIG. 4, the volume mapping may beperformed in Step 415 when the initiator is registered. Referring now toFIG. 5, a method 500 for mapping volumes on the iSCSI storage device isshown. The method may provide a unique set of logical units for eachtime when a registered initiator logs into its associated target for anormal iSCSI session. In Step 502, an unmapped volume may be located.Then, a logical unit numbers (LUN) may be assigned to the unmappedvolume in Step 504. The method may determine whether an additionalvolume is unmapped in Step 506. If there are additional volumes to bemapped, the method may proceed to Step 502 to locate an unmapped volume.

The present invention may rely on existing network configurationservices in order to provide a full self-configuration of iSCSIstorages. The Full self configuration may include 1) Automaticregistration of new iSCSI initiators, 2) Automatic association of newlyregistered iSCSI initiators with unassociated iSCSI targets 3) Automaticmapping of volumes to logical units and their association to an iSCSItarget or initiator 4) automatic network configuration 5) Automaticcreation of volumes 6) Automatic creation of target iSCSI configurationusing automatically generated iSCSI names, portals, and portal groups.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that control of the process maybe fully defaulted or provided by hardware configuration settingssimilar to existing peripheral products in this class.

In a particular embodiment, initiators may use the automaticallyconfigured iSCSI storage device with either minimal or no configuration.For example, in a direct attached use of the iSCSI storage device, onlya single iSCSI storage device IP address is configured on the initiatorto locate the iSCSI storage device. Additionally, in an IP SANenvironment without an iSNS server, each initiator that accesses theiSCSI storage device may be configured with a single iSCSI storagedevice IP address. On the initial connection from each initiator, theiSCSI storage device may register the initiator and make its storageresources available to the initiator. Further, the present invention maybe utilized in an IP SAN with an iSNS server. In that environment, theiSCSI target, portal, and portal group configuration is exported to theiSNS server. Each initiator also exports its iSCSI name to the iSNSserver. The associations between initiator and target are programmed onthe iSNS server. In this environment, the iSCSI initiator registrationand its association with the target may occur when the initiator logsinto the target on the iSCSI storage device as specified by the iSNSconfiguration. If secure sessions are desired, the present invention maybe able to be extended to support a single security policy for allsessions on the iSCSI storage device by using the security policy's TCPlistening port to configure the initiator IPsec layer to access theiSCSI storage device's secure portals.

Additionally, the present invention may include optional hardwareswitches on the iSCSI storage device to control automatic configurationoptions. It is contemplated that the present invention may allow thesame iSCSI storage device with automatic configuration settingcontrolled by an external switch to be used in environments where fullmanual configuration is desired or required.

It should be appreciated that the exemplary configuration sequences maysupport a number of variants that provide equivalent automaticconfiguration capabilities. For instance, one variation may not provideglobal automatic configuration setting. In such a case, the variationmay make automatic configuration utilizing the default operation mode.This variation may limit the use of the system to low-end environmentswhere manual configuration is not needed. Another variation may be toperform iSCSI initiator registration during the initial login of aniSCSI initiator to a specific unassociated target. This requires a-priorknowledge of the automatically generated iSCSI target names on the iSCSIstorage device so they can be added to the iSCSI initiator configurationor the use of an iSNS server to gather information and define theinitiator and target associations.

In the exemplary embodiments, the methods disclosed may be implementedas sets of instructions or software readable by a device. Further, it isunderstood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methodsdisclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon designpreferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy ofsteps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the scopeand spirit of the present invention. The accompanying method claimspresent elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are notnecessarily meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchypresented.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be convenientlyimplemented in forms of software package. Such a software package may bea computer program product which employs a storage medium includingstored computer code which is used to program a computer to perform thedisclosed function and process of the present invention. The storagemedium may include, but is not limited to, any type of conventionalfloppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMS, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs,EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any other suitable mediafor storing electronic instructions.

It is believed that the method and apparatus of the present inventionand many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoingdescription. It is also believed that it will be apparent that variouschanges may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of thecomponents thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. Theform herein before described being merely an explanatory embodimentthereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass andinclude such changes.

1. A method for automatically configuring a network interface on aniSCSI storage device, comprising: utilizing a configuration protocolserver to define a configuration of the network interface if theconfiguration protocol server is available; utilizing a default networkconfiguration for all network ports on the iSCIS storage device if thedefault network configuration is available; generating a defaultinterface configuration for all network ports with desired InternetProtocol addresses if the default network configuration is notavailable; storing the generated default interface configuration afterdesired Internet Protocol addresses are verified; and initializing thedefault interface configuration, wherein the iSCSI storage device issuitable for being utilized for direct attached and IP Storage AreaNetwork.
 2. The method as described in claim 1, further comprising:determining whether the configuration protocol server is available;requesting the configuration protocol server to define a configurationof network interfaces for all network ports if the configurationprotocol server is available.
 3. The method as described in claim 1,wherein the configuration protocol server is a Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol server.
 4. The method as described in claim 3,wherein the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server generates aDynamic Host Configuration Protocol network configuration including anIP address, a Network mask, and a default gateway.
 5. The method asdescribed in claim 4, further comprising: initializing the Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol network configuration.
 6. The method as describedin claim 1, wherein the default network configuration includes an IPaddress and a network mask.
 7. The method as described in claim 1,further comprising: utilizing the default network configuration tosupport direct attached IP Storage Area Network installations.
 8. Themethod as descried in claim 1, further comprising: utilizing the defaultnetwork configuration to support isolated IP Storage Area Networkinstallations.
 9. The method as described in claim 1, wherein thenetwork configuration is required by an initiator in order to access theiSCSI storage device.
 10. A method for automatically configuring volumeson an iSCSI device, comprising: determining whether a plurality ofvolumes are configured; utilizing automatic configuration if theautomatic configuration is enabled; and performing manual configurationif the automatic configuration is not enabled, wherein the plurality ofvolumes are logical data volumes of the iSCSI storage device.
 11. Themethod as described in claim 10, further comprising: converting allunallocated storage resources into the plurality of volumes.
 12. Amethod for automatically configuring a plurality of targets for an iSCSIstorage device, comprising: determining whether each of the plurality oftargets are already configured; determining whether automaticconfiguration is enabled if each of the plurality of targets are notconfigured; utilizing automatic configuration if the automaticconfiguration is enabled; and creating each of the plurality of targetsif the automatic configuration is enabled, wherein at least one of theplurality of targets is configured if the automated configuration is notenabled.
 13. The method as described in claim 12, further comprising:creating an iSCSI portal for each of a plurality of network interfaceson the iSCSI storage device; assigning the created iSCSI portal into aportal group; and associating each of the plurality of targets with theportal group, wherein the plurality of targets have been configured. 14.The method as described in claim 12, wherein the pluralities of targetsare created based on product default when the automatic configuration isenabled.
 15. The method as described in claim 12, wherein each of theplurality of targets which have been already configured has a world wideunique name.
 16. The method as described in claim 13, wherein the eachof the plurality of targets being associated with the portal group issuitable of being accessed by an iSCSI initiator through a networkinterface of the iSCSI storage device.
 17. The method as described inclaim 12, further comprising: locating a plurality of unmapped volumesfrom the iSCSI storage device; and assigning an unique logical unitnumber for each of the plurality of unmapped volumes.
 18. A method forautomatically registering an iSCSI initiator for an iSCSI storagedevice, comprising: initiating initiator registration and establishing asession login; determining whether the iSCSI initiator has beenregistered with the iSCSI storage device; determining whether automaticconfiguration is enabled if the iSCSI initiator has not been registered;selecting a target for the iSCSI initiator from a plurality ofunassociated targets through the automated configuration; registeringthe iSCSI initiator; and entering iSCSI session full feature phase. 19.The method as descried in claim 18, registering step further comprising:forming a permanent association between the selected target and theiSCSI initiator.
 20. The method as described in claim 19, whereininformation of the iSCSI initiator is permanently stored in the iSCSIstorage device as a registered initiator.
 21. The method as described inclaim 19, wherein the iSCSI initiator is allowed to access resource ofthe selected target.
 22. The method as described in claim 18, wherein atarget discovery session is utilized to initiate initiator registration.23. The method as described in claim 22, wherein the target discoverysession is an iSCSI lightweight discovery session.
 24. The method asdescribed in claim 18, wherein a normal session login is utilized toinitiate initiator registration.
 25. The method as described in claim24, wherein an iSNS server is available.
 26. The method as described inclaim 18, further comprising: closing an iSCSI session with a message ifthere is no unassociated target available.
 27. The method as describedin claim 18, further comprising: locating a plurality of unmappedvolumes from the iSCSI storage device; and assigning an unique logicalunit number for each of the plurality of unmapped volumes.
 28. Anapparatus for providing automated iSCSI target configuration for aniSCSI storage device, comprising: means for configuring networkinterfaces on a iSCSI device, the configuration of network interfacebeing utilized by an initiator to the iSCSI storage device; means forconverting storage resources on the iSCSI storage device into datavolumes; means for configuring a plurality of targets in the storagearea network; means for registering an initiator, the registeredinitiator being associated with one of the plurality of configuredtarget, the one of the plurality of configuration target suitable to beassociated; and means for assigning unique logical unit numbers tounmapped volumes, wherein the iSCSI storage device is suitable for beingdirectly attached to a host computer and being utilized on IP storagearea networks.
 29. The apparatus as described in claim 28, furthercomprising: means for requesting the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocolserver to define a configuration of network interfaces for all networkports if the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server is available.30. The apparatus as described in claim 29, further comprising: meansfor utilizing a default network configuration for all network ports ifthe default network configuration is available, wherein Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol server is not available.
 31. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 30, further comprising: means for generating thedefault interface configuration for all network ports if the defaultnetwork configuration is not available; and means for storing thegenerated default interface configuration after desired InternetProtocol addresses are verified, wherein Dynamic Host ConfigurationProtocol server is not available.
 32. The apparatus as described inclaim 31, further comprising: means for initializing the defaultinterface configuration.
 33. The apparatus as described in claim 32,further comprising: means for determining whether volumes areconfigured; means for utilizing automatic configuration if the automaticconfiguration is enabled; and means for performing manual configurationif the automatic configuration is not enabled, wherein volumes arelogical data volumes of the iSCSI storage device.
 34. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 28, further comprising: means for determining whethereach of the plurality of targets are already configured; means fordetermining whether automatic configuration is enabled; means forutilizing automatic configuration if the automatic configuration isenabled; and means for creating at least one of the plurality of targetsif the automatic configuration is enabled, wherein at least one of theplurality of targets is configured.
 35. The apparatus as described inclaim 34, further comprising: means for creating an iSCSI portal foreach of a plurality of network interfaces on the iSCSI storage device;means for assigning the created iSCSI portal into a portal group; meansfor associating each of the plurality of targets with the portal group,wherein the plurality of targets have been configured.
 36. The apparatusas described in claim 28, further comprising: means for initiatinginitiator registration; means for determining whether the iSCSIinitiator has been registered with the iSCSI storage device; means fordetermining automatic configuration is available if the iSCSI initiatorhas not been registered; means for selecting a target for the iSCSIinitiator from a plurality of unassociated targets through the automatedconfiguration; and means for registering the iSCSI initiator.
 37. Theapparatus as described in claim 36, wherein a target discovery sessionis utilized to initiate initiator registration.
 38. The apparatus asdescribed in claim 36, wherein a normal session login is utilized toinitiate initiator registration.
 39. A computer readable mediumcontaining program instructions for providing automated iSCSI targetconfiguration for an iSCSI storage device, the program instructioncomprising: defining a configuration of network interface on a iSCSIdevice, the configuration of network interface being utilized by aninitiator to the iSCSI storage device; converting storage resources onthe iSCSI storage device into data volumes; configuring a plurality oftargets in the storage area network; registering an initiator, theregistered initiator being associated with one of the plurality ofconfigured target, the one of the plurality of configuration targetsuitable to be associated; and assigning unique logical unit numbers tounmapped volumes, wherein the iSCSI storage device is suitable for beingdirectly attached to a host computer and being utilized on Storage AreaNetworks.
 40. The computer readable medium as described in claim 39,further comprising: determining whether a Dynamic Host ConfigurationProtocol server is available; requesting the Dynamic Host ConfigurationProtocol server to define a configuration of network interfaces for allnetwork ports if the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server isavailable; determining whether a default network configuration isavailable if the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol server is notavailable utilizing the default network configuration for all networkports if the default network configuration is available; generating adefault interface configuration for all network ports if the defaultnetwork configuration is not available; storing the generated defaultinterface configuration after desired Internet Protocol addresses areverified; and initializing the default interface configuration.
 41. Thecomputer readable medium as described in claim 39, the convertingstorage resources step further comprising: determining whether volumesare configured; utilizing automatic configuration if the automaticconfiguration is enabled; and performing manual configuration if theautomatic configuration is not enabled, wherein volumes are logical datavolumes of the iSCSI storage device.
 42. The computer readable medium asdescribed in claim 39, the configuring a plurality of targets stepfurther comprising: determining whether each of the plurality of targetsare already configured; determining whether automatic configuration isenabled; utilizing automatic configuration if the automaticconfiguration is enabled; and creating at least one of the plurality oftargets if the automatic configuration is enabled, wherein at least oneof the plurality of targets is configured.
 43. The computer readablemedium as described in claim 42, further comprising: creating an iSCSIportal for each of a plurality of network interfaces on the iSCSIstorage device; assigning the created iSCSI portal into a portal group;and associating each of the plurality of targets with the portal group,wherein the plurality of targets have been configured.
 44. The computerreadable medium as described in claim 39, the registering an initiatorstep further comprising: initiating initiator registration andestablishing a session login; determining whether the iSCSI initiatorhas been registered with the iSCSI storage device; determining whetherautomatic configuration is enabled if the iSCSI initiator has not beenregistered; selecting a target for the iSCSI initiator from a pluralityof unassociated targets through the automated configuration; andregistering the iSCSI initiator.
 45. The computer readable medium asdescribed in claim 39, further comprising: locating a plurality ofunmapped volumes from the iSCSI storage device; and assigning an uniquelogical unit number for each of the plurality of unmapped volumes.